Reinfeldt discussed economy and climate with Sarkozy

Publication date: 06 July 2009

France supports the Swedish Presidency’s ambitions on the climate and regulation of the financial markets. This emerged from the meeting on Friday between Sweden’s Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Following the inauguration of the Swedish Presidency on Wednesday, President Sarkozy visited Stockholm to discuss the issues that will be in focus over the next six months. Top of the agenda were the road to an international climate agreement and the financial and economic crisis.

“We have had very good and productive discussions today on some of the main issues for the Swedish Presidency. I welcome the support I have received from President Sarkozy and look forward to continuing close dialogue”, said Prime Minister Reinfeldt at the joint press conference at Rosenbad in Stockholm.

“France is committed to helping make the Swedish Presidency a success. That's what Europe needs”, said President Sarkozy.
Strong climate commitment

At the press conference, the Prime Minister emphasised the strong French commitment to the issue of climate. During the French Presidency last autumn, President Sarkozy succeeded in getting an agreement on a climate and energy package for the EU.

Reinfeldt also spoke about the continued work to manage the financial crisis and rising unemployment in Europe, something on which Sweden wants to focus during its Presidency. An important issue in the autumn will be putting in place a European structure for supervision of the financial markets.

“We share the same opinion when it comes to the Swedish Prime Minister's ambitions on regulation. Sweden has ambitious goals”, said Sarkozy.

Another issue discussed at the meeting between Reinfeldt and Sarkozy was the institutional changes that the EU is currently undergoing.

“In June, the European Council gave its unanimous support to José Manuel Barroso to be the new President of the Commission. Together with the Czech Republic, I have consulted the newly elected group leaders in the European Parliament. There it has emerged that they are not ready to make a decision on Barroso in July. Nevertheless, I hope that we will soon be able to reach an agreement on when that will happen", said Fredrik Reinfeldt.
Working together for the Union for the Mediterranean

The continued work on the EU’s Union for the Mediterranean, which will create closer links between the countries in the region, was also discussed. The Union was originally formed on a French initiative.

“Today we have agreed on a joint Swedish French Presidency on the EU side in the Union for the Mediterranean this coming autumn. This means that France and Sweden will jointly chair the meetings that will be held”, said Reinfeldt.

Since 2007, Sweden and France have, together with the EU’s previous Presidency holder, the Czech Republic, cooperated intensively on different issues in what is known as the 'three Presidency team’. Reinfeldt first visited Sarkozy in October 2007 to discuss the countries’ respective Presidencies. France’s first months in the Presidency jersey last year were demanding, with issues including a sudden conflict in Georgia to handle.

“I wish Fredrik a calmer August than the one I had”, joked Sarkozy at Friday’s press conference.

3 July: Press conference with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and French President Nicolas Sarkozy: https://vms.qbrick.com/?cid=&mid=6723D898

Source: Swedish Presidency of the European Union